MR NIVEN AND RACES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 5948, 4 March 1881, Page 3

MR NIVEN AND RACES.

TO THE KDITOR. ' Sir,—l notice you have, along with the Evening Star, given publicity to the Rev. Mr Niven's mischievous and unfortunate remarks anent our recent race meeting. Iso characterise them because it is a misfortune when ministers indulge in language calculated to irritate a very large number of people who find m our annual racecourse meeting an innocent and harmless recreation, and who can "patronise" it without conscious contamination from " its villainies and attendant blackguardisms." Where do Mr Niven, and they who think with him, gut their impressions of what a racecourse is? Havo they ever seen one ? I was on tho Forbury course on the Cup day, and saw nothing to shock Mr Niven ot anyone else. I saw no drunkenness and heard no ptofanity, but I saw thousands of people apparently happy and light-heavted, picnicking on the grass enjoying themselves with swings and other games Mr Niven will answer, What about bets and sweeps ? The vast majority do not bet at all, and I maintain there is nothing wrong in sweeps so long as people confine their investments to sums they can afford The' appeal to the lot is countenanced by Scripture, as Mr >aven will admit, and a sweep is nothing more nor less. I confess I have little patience with a religion which has no sympathy with amusement, the love for which is too deeply rooted in the" human heart for Mr .Niven to eradicate; and it should be the object of the clergy by their presence, sympathy, and example to raise the standard of public amusements by leading them m higher and purer directions—not to rail from their pulpits at theatres, races, and all amusements more stimulating than a soiree.—l am, &c, „ PRESBYrERUN. Dunedin, March Ist.